UPDATE 9/27/21 5 PM
Sam has weakened since yesterday with winds down to around 120 mph...still a Category 3 storm. The latest forecast keeps the storm north of the islands and east of Bermuda as it heads toward the northern Atlantic. The GFS is forecasting the storm to affect portions of Atlantic Canada while the Euro model takes the storm into the North Atlantic missing Newfoundland & Nova Scotia.
FOX 4 CHIEF METEOROLOGIST DEREK BEASLEY
UPDATE 9/26/21 5 PM
Sam continues to be a strong category 4 storm with maximum sustained wind of 150 mph. Vertical wind shear will remain low the next few days as it moves slowly to the northwest at 7 mph. Sam will turn to the north later in the week and gradually weaken, but could still be a major hurricane by the time it makes its way toward Bermuda. Models are taking Sam east of Bermuda next weekend, but the island may still feel some impacts from Sam.
FOX 4 METEOROLOGIST ERIC STONE
UPDATE 9/25/21 11 PM
Sam is now a category 4 hurricane with maximum sustained wind of 145 mph with gusts to 175 mph. It is moving slowly at 8 mph with minimum central pressure of 943 mb. Sam remains a small hurricane with a well defined eye. It is expected to move to the northeast north of the Leeward Islands and eventually move toward Bermuda. The GFS model has Sam moving to the east of Bermuda while the European model has it moving right over the island although the European track has shifted to the east since yesterday. Either way it will be no impact to the United States.
FOX 4 METEOROLOGIST ERIC STONE
UPDATE 9/25/21 11 AM
Sam is now a major hurricane with maximum sustained wind of 120 mph. It is moving WNW at 10 mph and is expected to slow down as a mid level ridge builds. Minimum central pressure is down to 960 mb. Sam is expected to remain in an environment favorable for further development with warm water temperatures and low to moderate vertical wind shear. It is a small hurricane with hurricane force wind extending only 25 miles from its center and tropical storm force wind outward to 105 miles from its center. Sam should reach category 4 status in the next 24 to 48 hours before turning around the ridge toward the northwest then north. At that time vertical wind shear will increase and Sam will lose some of its punch. Sam may move close to Bermuda, but is not expected to make landfall in the United States and will come nowhere near Southwest Florida.
FOX 4 METEOROLOGIST ERIC STONE
UPDATE 9/24/21 5AM
Sam has rapidly intensified overnight to a hurricane. This is the 7th hurricane of the Atlantic hurricane season and rapid intensification is forecast to continue and the latest advisory calls for Sam to reach Category 4 status in the days ahead.
Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 75 mph with higher gusts. Rapid intensification is forecast to continue, and Sam is likely to become a major hurricane tonight or early Saturday. Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 15 miles from the center and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 60 miles. The estimated minimum central pressure is 993 mb.
FOX 4 MORNING METEOROLOGIST TRENT ARIC
UPDATE 9/23/21 11PM
Sam has been strengthening tonight, now up too 70mph & almost at hurricane strength. It is expected to go through rapid intensification the next few days while slowing down. By Sunday, it is forecast to be a cat. 3 hurricane. As it follows the south side of the Bermuda High, it will move westward & eventually turn to the NW. Sam is no threat to the US at this point but needs too be watched next week.
FOX 4 METEOROLOGIST CINDY PRESZLER
UPDATE 9/23/21 5PM
Tropical Storm Sam continues to strengthen & is expected to become a hurricane by tomorrow. Rapid intensification is forecast over the next few days with favorable conditions out ahead of it. Sam is moving west at 16mph but an. eventual turn to the NW is forecast. At this point, it is no threat to the US.
FOX 4 METEOROLOGIST CINDY PRESZLER
UPDATE 11AM 9/23/21:
Tropical Storm Sam has formed in the Atlantic becoming the 18th named storm of the year. It is forecast to become a hurricane tomorrow and eventually a major hurricane early next week as it continues northwest.
Recent satellite wind data indicates maximum sustained winds have increased to near 50 mph with higher gusts. Additional strengthening is forecast over the next several days, and Sam is now forecast to become a hurricane tomorrow and be near major hurricane intensity by the end of the weekend. Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 45 miles from the center. The estimated minimum central pressure is 1003 mb.
FOX 4 MORNING METEOROLOGIST TRENT ARIC
